_____________________________________________________________________
General
Furneaux Pelham is one of three villages all of which end in Pelham. All of the villages were owned by the Furneaux (pronounced furnix) family (de Fornellis) in the thirteenth century. It had a long, close connection with the Bishops of London until 1836.
The name derives from an Old English personal name and ham or hamm meaning ‘Peola's homestead or village’.
The church of St Mary in Furneux Pelham has a strange inscription above and below the clock on the tower. The inscription reads:
“Time flies. Mind your Business”
_____________________________________________________________________
St Mary the Virgin
In the 1890s a hawker named Tab paid a visit to the church at Furneux Pelham. Whilst there he felt as if he was being watched but when he looked round there was no one there. As far as he could tell there was no one else in the church with him at the time even when the feeling became very strong. After he had been in the church for about ten minutes he heard the main door slam shut and the sound of footsteps going down the aisle yet he could see no-one. As Tab turned to leave he saw the figure of a man sitting in the front pew. The man had not passed Tab to get to the pew and there appeared to be no other way into the church.
Tab left the church and saw a man outside cutting grass. He asked the man whether he had seen anyone enter the church and was told that he must have seen the ghost of Mr. Arnott who had died some years previously. It seems that Mr. Arnott likes to quietly sit in the church sometimes.
Tab was an unusual character, a hawker by trade who would travel from village to village selling his wares but unlike most he could read and write. He was very interested in the traditions and superstitions of the county and would keep notes about what he found.
To view a map of the area click on the button below
|